Photographic Friday: New Beginnings

Before I start blogging about the AMAZING vacation Aaron and I only recently returned from (everyone is hounding me to get blogging about that. There are over 2000+ pictures to sort out! Give me a break, people!) I thought I'd post about something else that happened just before we left for Alaska that's pretty much a big deal.

As y'all know by now, I resigned from my position at my former agency. It was a very difficult decision to make and I have always "prided myself" on being a career monogamist; I will get into a job and stay in it FOREVER. Well, with my last job, forever came sooner than I thought. Around February I started looking for new opportunities. I, for one, wanted to have more free time, I was also thinking about pursuing my doctorate (the program I start this September) and wanted to pick up another teaching class at NHTI, where I'm an adjunct professor. Unfortunately, my current position wasn't conducive with any of those desires.

I was very picky with the places I applied to; they had to meet certain criteria. I knew I didn't want a "boss" nor did I want a schedule that was predetermined. I also wanted the luxury to use the types of therapeutic interventions I wanted to use and I really just wanted everything to be flexible. So, low and behold, I found a position that sounded pretty good and I applied for it (among a few other positions). It had been years, YEARS since I had interviewed or applied for a new job so I figured, if anything else, it would at least allow me to throw my hat in the ring and sand off some of the rust I'd acquired being a career monogamist. The interview at this particular practice lasted 2 hours and, when I left there, I knew it was what I wanted. It felt right and everything about it felt good.

It was about a month before I heard back and the time passing made me nervous. When I got the call asking me to join the private practice, I was elated... and scared. This was a huge change but it would allow me to make my own hours, my own money, and I had the option to decide how many clients I wanted to see, AND when I wanted to see them. I accepted the position and gave my notice shortly thereafter.

I have to say, there isn't anything I have found, yet, that I don't like about my new job. I plan to work about 20 hours per week, I've picked up another class to teach in the fall (two classes back-to-back, I'll be done at 12pm every Tuesday and Thursday) and I'm working toward my doctorate. Currently, I have two days per week off as classes haven't started yet and the amount of free time is such a new concept to me. My house is spotless, I've kayaked more this summer than all the past summers combined, and I'm devouring novels prolifically. I keep waiting for "the catch" and I don't think there is one. I can work as hard as I want to.

So, without further "ado", here is my new office. I picked out every piece of furniture and the practice was more than happy to buy them for me. I am beyond excited and really look forward to this new chapter.

You can't really see it from this angle but, my office overlooks a footbridge over a brook. It's a wooded area, good for bird-watching and I even have a giant Turkey (who I call "Salem") that lives in the woods and is seen from time-to-time.

Nature vs Nurture: Ebenezer

Last Friday I came home from work early because I was exhausted. From the minute I got home and sat on the couch to relax (and hopefully watch someone be named a "Baby Daddy" on Maury Povich) Bing would not leave me alone; begging for a walk. Sigh, fine. On my way back into the house, through the front door, I heard this "peep, peep, peep" noise. Naturally curious, I looked down I see a tiny bird laying on the sidewalk in my lily plants. I looked around to see if I could spot the nest he had fallen from and, when I moved a leaf on my lily, (where he was resting) I saw that he was laying next to an egg and another bird just like him, who didn't survive the fall. There was also a large adult sparrow circling the scene so, I figured this baby was hers.

Of course I did what any animal psycho would do and scooped him up. Frantically, I began making phone calls; the Audubon, my vet, Petsmart, the Human Society... nobody would take him and a couple people even told me, "well, it's just a house sparrow, those are a dime-a-dozen, just lay him back where you found him and let nature take its course." Um, no.

Finally, after several phone calls, I had found a woman who would take him as she rescues birds all over the state but, I would have to immediately drive him over to her work (which was about 30 miles North) and I needed to be there by 5pm when they closed. I put him in a shoe box, threw in a nest I found a few years ago, named the bird Ebenezer and hopped into the car. On my way I called Aaron who was just getting out of school, explained the situation and went to pick him up so he could drive while I held the baby (the only time he didn't peep and seemed calm was when he was in the palm of my hand.)

We arrived just in time and dropped Ebenezer off to some unknown person. I cried a little bit because I'm certifiable and we both left, not knowing the fate of this weak itty-bitty birdy. This morning I called the lady I gave him to and she reported he's doing very well, he is indeed a sparrow, and should be ready for release in a couple of weeks.

With a little help from me nature did indeed take its course.

Fun Fact Thursday: Alaska

I have always, *always* wanted to go to Alaska. When Aaron and I first started talking about our honeymoon and he gave me the option of going anywhere in the entire world, I think he was somewhat surprised to hear me say "Alaska!" without hesitation. His response was, (and this was a couple of years ago so I am paraphrasing) "I can't believe I'm marrying someone who, when given the choice to go anywhere in the world, wants to go to Alaska. Score me!" He was relieved I didn't want to go and lay on a beach somewhere sipping frosty drinks (in all honesty, I wouldn't mind that, but it certainly wouldn't be one of my top 3 vacation destinations).

Our vacation/belated honeymoon is going to be amazing and I am beyond excited. Here are some interesting facts about Alaska:

• Alaska is the 49th State in the Union.
• The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
• The state motto is "North to the Future".
• Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
• 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States are located in Alaska.
• Mount McKinley ( 20,320 feet ) in the Alaska Range is the highest in North America.
• The state's largest city is Anchorage; the second largest is Fairbanks.
• In 1867 United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered Russia $7,200,000, or two cents per acre, for Alaska's almost 400 million acres.
• Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline and, including islands, has 33,904 miles of shoreline.
• Alaska has areas that get: 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of night.
• Alaska contains approximately 3 million lakes.
• Alaska is 55 miles east of Russia.

Wednesday Oui: Ouizell's Vacation

When Aaron and I first moved in together I bought my dogs a "welcome to your new home" gift; a white weasel looking thing with buck teeth. I bought it (impulsively) at Family Dollar while I was there doing my quarterly acquisition of household cleaning products. This toy, haphazardly thrown into the cart as an afterthought, has earned quite the reputation.

Now, to understand the extent to which my dogs are spoiled you have to realize how many toys/accessories these boys have. They get a new Halloween costume every year, a tee-shirt for every occasion, life jackets, Santa suits, reindeer antlers, winter boots, raincoats, cooling collars, bathrobes and I even had tuxedo shirts imported from Japan for my wedding. These dogs want for nothing

All of our toys (the ones most frequently played with) have names. Why? Because my dogs have a supreme intelligence which allows them to learn the names of their toys. If we were to say, "Bing, where's Bluey?" He would run around the house and seek out Bluey and return him to me (after, of course, first having sex with Bluey [Bluey is a blue bull who happens to be the one and only toy that has earned Bing's sexual affection]). But, the favorite toy of my dogs happens to be "Ouizell" the dollar store toy bought on a whim. Of all the toys they own (including a $20 hand-puppet giraffe [which they completely discarded after I ordered it]) they like this cheap animal the best. So much so that he needs to be with them most of the time. Whenever we travel, if Bing sees Ouizell go into his overnight bag (yes, they have their own overnight bag, from L.L. Bean-- it's monogrammed) he will get so anxious because he knows we're going somewhere. Ouizell has had to visit the doctor several times over the past 4 years, has several scars (stitches), only one working squeaker remains intact and is now tailless and toothless. Plus, not only does Ouizell sleep in bed with us-- every night, Ouizell was also a guest at our wedding.

The point of this blog? Well, Aaron and I are completely stressing about leaving the pups for the 17 days we are in Alaska/Seattle. My Mother is taking them at the farm and they'll have a great time with their cousins (my Mom's chihuahuas) but, as their Mama, I worry about them. So much so that I actually had a nightmare about Alaska/Ouizell last night.

As I said, Aaron and I will be gone for 17 days. We have two formal dinners on the cruise, we will be in various climates and we'll most likely need to pack a lot of clothing. As a result, we have been discussing the purchase or use of one of those things that sucks the air out of stuff so you can pack a bunch of crap in a suitcase. Well, in my dream last night, we arrived safely in Alaska and as I unpacked my suitcase I realized Ouizell had somehow been packed and vapo-sealed into our luggage. In my dream, I lost it. I absolutely, without a doubt, lost my shit screaming that "not only had we left the pups for a significant amount time, we had also taken their baby." (I legitimately cannot explain how much they love this toy). In the dream I insisted on overnighting the weasel to my mother's farm so they boys wouldn't be without this ratty beast for another second. It was crazy and I woke up in a panic.

Come to think of it, I am crazy. It's impossible to explain how much I love these dogs. Seriously, when it comes to my dogs I am certifiably sick in the head. Oui?

Menu Monday

Today's blog really isn't a recipe but more a distraction for me. I need something to avoid the things I really have to do/think about!

I can't even begin to explain how busy I've been. I'm trying to start my practice, finish out my current job, plan for Alaska and do all the yard work/summer cleaning that this time of year demands. I've pretty much been running on empty for a few weeks now. But, alas, I FINALLY see the light at the end of the tunnel; better (more relaxed) days to come! I'm really hoping to find more time in my schedule to blog. I truly feel so much more content when I can transfer some of the things in my head onto "paper." We shall see, however, when push-comes-to-shove, blogging is one of the first things I trim from my "to-do" list when it becomes pages long.

My best friend of 12 years is giving birth to twins- today. She's scheduled to go in at 9am this morning. I can't wait to meet them but I have NO idea when I'll be able to drive the 4 hours to see them... my weekends are booked and I can't take any time off in my current job(s) yet! I wish so badly I could be there.

So, here's the distraction. All weekend Aaron and I spent time in the yard cleaning things up, weeding, putting out our patio furniture, etc. While surveying our land (our yard is about the size of a postage stamp [less than 1/2 acre]) I noticed I had a few strawberries ready to be picked! So perhaps they aren't the most robust of berries, nor are they plentiful right now but Aaron and I will enjoy them on the patio after dinner tonight!

Lastly, my favorite tree which was in full bloom last week. I love this tree!